In an era where everyone is looking for the next big thing, we try to be a bit more realistic and determine a prospect’s likely professional future. What role will he play in the NBA? Is his game more suited for Europe? Will he crash and burn entirely? Each week we’ll profile at least one prospect who needs to be on your radar, heating up even more as the NBA Draft draws near. We’ll talk with you soon.
PODCAST: Listen to Slam and Freaknick break down the Euro guards in the 2009 NBA Draft.
PODCAST: NBA Draft Day Countdown writer Aaron Wetnam joins the guys to talk forwards.
On da rill, u my bwah fuh dat.
This is brilliant. I think the picture is the best part though.
Loving the freaknick TV.. good work big guy.
Thanks, Skouson. We’re renovating the site in about a week and we’ll update that info as soon as possible. Thanks, brother.
Absolutely it is. Just a reminder though, we’ll be going through a renovation after Group Play finishes up, but we’ll be back stronger than ever in time for the Top 16. Thanks for reading.
Hey, Justin- Your blog has been posted on Deaconsprts, so you’ll prob get a lot of responses from folks who remember you well. Best to you, and come back to play Oak Valley!
great stuff, is this gonna be a regular feature?
Man…I love the website, I only knew about eurobasket.com but this one is lovely.
I played at OREGON DUCKS for Ernie Kent, so can you update this for me man! I appreciate that!
Great and nice schedule. Thank for the information you share.
This is great time and date. I wonder what happen’s with the game?
Any reports?
I congratulate Justin fan turow successful games here and calculate on more far splendid performances
Hahaha that’s hilarious you have to go to 2:06 in the video before you see him score inside the perimeter. what a beast though gozam
GK GK…we all WE GOT!
eh ok for a grady graduate, keep up the good work brother
why interesting_?
Taquan,
You have never been forgotten in the states. You captured our hearts years ago in Louisville and you never let go. Even though it was hard to eep up with what was going on oversees I followed you. There was never six months that went by where I did not google your name to find out that you were still going strong. Although I would love to be blessed with seeing your undeniable skill in the NBA, It is satisfying seeing that you are still growing strong, working hard, loving basketball and making your money. I wish you all the best, and will continue to follow you. God has you in his hand and he is carrying you daily. One Luv. Ikecia
well very insightful read. i love cappie. bn loving her since she was at Rutgers. The only thing that bothered me was that she didnt seem to optimistic about the future of the W. coming from a player that was a lil bit disheartning to here her say that but i will continue to support the WNBA. my fav team the shock moved but hopefully its all in the best interests and the future of the league. love the article looking forward to reaading more!
Thanks a lot. We appreciate it.
nice site fellas.
jg - flint, mi
justin, it’s good to follow you and you’re living my dream: playing bball professionally in europe. hopefully, you can stay healthy and have a long playing career. after retiring, i’d love to see you get into coaching- you’d be a natural. i enjoyed hanging out w/ you at wake that day along time ago and hitting up IHOP. we all miss your cousin, tony, here in concord, RIP. Take care, Joe (that cool white boy attorney) Plummer—- Concord, NC USA
i can’t see a slaughter in Maroussi. of course MTA is the clear favourite, but they will have to work hard for a win against a well organized and disciplined Team.
Cibona @ Asvel: the french play too well to be 0-4. It’s time to get the first 2 points.
FB Ulker @ Zalgiris: Not easy for coach Boscia in Kaunas. I pick the Lithuanians.
Lottomatica @ Union Olimpija: Roma have to recover from the tremendous wipeout suffered in Siena on Sunday. I say Lottomatica.
Asseco Prokom @ BC Khimki: Cabezas+Langford, bye bye Prokom.
EWE Baskets @ Panathinaikos: No chance… Pana +20.
Regal Barcelona @ Montepaschi: What a nice game! Last year it was the sole blaugrana’s defeat in RS. This year it will be exactly the same story. Siena at the buzzer beater.
Orleans @ Efes Pilsen: All-star Efes will lose only 1 of the next 6 games and it won’t be vs Orleans.
Lietuvos Rytas @ Unicaja: Aito will lead his guys to the 5th straight win. Mr. Dean keeps on being a factor in this Euroleague season.
Olympiacos @ Partizan: Last year an amazing 22576 people crowd. Well, it will be too difficult for the Serbs. I am sure that they know to have lost the 80% of the chances to get to the TOP16 in Vilnius. Beating the reds would be THE miracle. I don’t believe it.
Maroussi @ Maccabi Electra: No chance for the Greeks.
CSKA Moscow @ Caja Laboral: CSKA will save energies for the next more important games. Caja Laboral gets the W.
AJ Milano @ Real Madrid: A further step towards the perfection for the Messina’s squad. Real.
EA (Euroleague Adventures) Slam Dunk Contest…? Huh… interesting…
For starters, I think people forget that Brandon was still 18 when he was playing over there, and besides that I think you’re right on. Jenings isn’t the type of player who can do his damage solely from the perimeter He’s not going to paly like a Calderon, who can control the offense from the top of the key by swinging the ball and finding holes with his passing. Jennings MAKES the holes and creates the opportunity by getting into the paint and drawing double teams (or doing it himself if the help doesn’t come). So in Europe, they can use their hands on the perimeter and the defenses are packed tightly on the inside, neither of which works well for Jennings. Now Jennings understands how basketball works on both sides of the ocean and he is much better for it. One thing that he improved on overseas was his understanding of the pick and roll; on the night he scored 55, he recognized that the Warrior defenders were going under the screens and he burned him with his jumper. Either way, I think the conversation should be positive coming from Europe, because all this does is validate the Euroleague as a worthy proving ground.
Nice song…
I’d like to believe in my friend Nando Gentile’s ability to develope talents making them warming the bench, I’d like to believe in the blames of Sani Becirovic all over the year, I’d like to believe that the guy found his karma in the city of the Harley Davidson… but I CAN NOT believe that the wet chick seen in Rome could have shifted in such a new NBA star. Two questions come up very quickly: 1) Is the Italian/European basketball so pregnant of exasperate tacticism to harness this kind of huge talent? 2) Is the NBA (regular season) basketball so empty of defensive rules (and will) to let him draw the crowds in such a way? Meanwhile the guy signs a wonderful 25+7+8 and only a magic trick of the Euro-Dirk makes the cowboys add a W to their seasonal record. Please let me know how it works cause I’m starting to be a bit confused…
Dude is unreal. Young Money is already a top 5 PG in the league. Count it!
As for the reason of our failures….you’re exactly right. But after going 11-1 last week and 10-2 this week, I feel like I’m bound for week 5 failure. Oh well, at least I have a week to gather my thoughts.
And I wish you were right about Partizan. Maybe I just got attached on their American Tour, but I really feel like they can sneak up on some people. You were right about Maric+McCalebb though (good thing I had them in fantasy this week.)
Take care, Luca.
I don’t go over the tuesday games… as it’s already wednesday! Anyway good job guys, only 1 bad pick for both. I know that you failed on purpose just not to get bored of your huge knowledge and have still a reason to improve!
My picks for today: McCalebb+Maric and Partizan get the W in Vilnius; Olympiacos unbeatable at home, even if Efes desperately NEED to have at least a good performance! Interesting game next to the coliseum, but who will be able to stop Eidson tonight? Pretty wavering, also because of heart’s reasons… Well, I say Maccabi. Milano come up from a convincing W in Italian LegaA at Virtus Bologna, and I guess it’s time to see a Mancinelli’s show vs the Russian towers. I pick coach Bucchi’s squad.
Bye guys!
Taquan…glad to hear that you are doing well and that you are finally getting some recognition. Keep up the killer work ethic that no doubt got you there.
I have a Louisville shrine in my manroom celebrating Louisville’s last Final Four (hopefully not for long); however, I am missing one player…the deadly, deadly sharpshooter/hound dog Taquan Dean. Is there anyway that I can get a signed 8 x 10 of you in a Louisville or your Euro League jersey ([email protected])? That was be amazing…
Cheers and keep stroking it
That’s my mistake, not Justin’s. I’ll get it changed here in a minute.
In two places there are “Zgorzelek” instead “Zgorzelec”. Fix it please
PS Justin - check żurek soup
THAT’S WHAT IT IS MANN…YOU WILL BE WHERE YOU SUPPOSE TO BE SOONER THEN LATER… I BELIEVE, I WITNESS YOUR SKILLS FIRST HAND
Great to hear from you, Luca. I apologize for my partner’s foolishness with the Rytas game, and the Efes/Unicaja game is a source of much internal doubt for me. On one hand, I’m always rooting for Taquan and last week they made me look silly, and Efes has disappointed since I picked them for my Final Four, so we’ll see what happens. Hope you’re right about the Greens, too. I need to catch up with Slam on picks this week.
I see two potential losses looking from the Lithuanian perspective. Both Žalgiris and Rytas will have their chances as Kaunas is one nasty place to play in but in my view Barca look stronger at the moment than Oly. Žalgiris might have a problem playing against big teams because they are not usually able to do the work on defense and competing with Barcelona offensively is not the way out. And Rytas is really good playing against anyone who likes to play individualy, not as a team. Their defensive system allows a lot of help D and if no-one from the Greek team is having a really extra super duper night, they should be contained. It might really get tough in the offensive end though if Popivč gets cut out, the whole game is based on him finding open team mates, either on the 3 point line or dishing out the ball after the drive.
Slam…!?! Popovic or not, do you really believe that Lietuvos is able to win at the P&F Stadium? If so, huge problem for the reds. I pick the dockers. Moreover I go for Efes at Unicaja and suppose that for Barca won’t be that easy in Kaunas. Anyway, very interesting games this week, with Pana-Madrid as the icing on the cake… Well, sorry Ettore, I still see green.
Bye guys! Well done!
Dude,
I’m living in enemy territory (Memphis), went to the Ville, and have been nothing but impressed with your balling and your heart. Thank God that he hasn’t needed a special Angel, cause you more than fit the bill. If you’re ever in Memphis, call me at (901) 870-2668. I’ll show you Beale Street, the zoo, the Grizzlies-whatever. Thanks for the amazing memories!
Kindest Regards, Michael D.-a/k/a the Credit Doctor!
Taquan - wow do I miss seeing you and Cisco in a Cardinal jersey!
My co-workers and I talk often about you and your teamates back in the Final 4 year. You mean so much to the Louisville community! I’m really glad to hear about you - always know how many great memories you gave the UofL fans and when basketball is over we hope you come back to us. God bless!
Taquan good to see you’re lighting it up in Europe. I saw you in the Louisville Airport standing in the security line back in late July. You said you were headed to New York. You spoke to my son who couldn’t believe it was you so he was hesitant on going up to talk to you. Keep the creator in your life brother and you will will always be blessed. Too bad you won’t see this current Louisville team upset the Cat’s in Corrupt Arena on January 2nd! Take Care and Peace.
What up J keep doin ur thing always remember u got people back in the city that got ur back no matter what
Tequan
I want you to know we miss you everyday here in Louisville, KY…When you left it was like the wind was let out of our sails. It will be a long time before UofL basketball replaces the true #5. Other players will wear it but none will fill it like you did.
Roger and Debbie
Hello Taquan, I am a UofL basketball season ticket holder. I want to thank you for all the great memories. I am glad that you are making new ones. As a preacher of the Gospel, it inspires me to see you talk about your relationship with God on this blog. You are in the position to witness to many people, especially in Europe where there are about 3% Christians. Stay strong in the faith, strong in the Lord. Your greatest blessings are in front of you brother. God bless, Brother Paul
I am glad to hear u turned to God, cause as we all know he will never fail us. Continue to have faith and trust in God and u will continue to be blessed.
I spoke with you at the Larry Obannon camp at Mid America over the summer, my son Kameron is a huge fan of yours and was wanting to see how we could get your jersey. We let him name our middle child Parker Dean because of your were his first louisville athlete he remembers and definetly wont forget. Is there anyway you can direct us to where we can purchase one of your pro jerseys. [email protected] thanks for everything, Scott
Big Bra, Man ive ben reading ur blogs in things well as you call it deans’s list lol..Man keep up the good work..My first game mon. time to get buckets bra n lock up…But keep up the hard work proud of you bra..